Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SCURRY, v., n. Also skurrie, scoury; scowrie (S.D.D.); scoorie (Mry.), skirry-, and reduced form skurr (Jak.). For Abd. forms see Squeerie. [′skʌre, ′skuri]
I. v. 1. Sc. forms and usages: to roam about from place to place, to wander idly, to prowl about or range over a district like a dog on the hunt (Sc. 1880 Jam.; ne.Sc. 1969). Comb. skurrieman, a wanderer, vagabond (Ayr. 1825 Jam.).Mry. 1922 Swatches o' Hamespun 69:
Some lived by scourying, some by dole.Ags. 1941 D. C. Cuthbertson More Dream Roads 26:
The skurrieman's a queer man, Without a hoose or hame.
II. n. Also in reduplicative comb. scurrie-whurrie, skirry-whirry, a hubbub, bustle, to-do, tumult (Cld. 1825 Jam.).Peb. 1835 J. Affleck Poet. Wks. 127:
Then began a skirry-whirry; — Sic a dust ye never saw.
